Expectation vs reality: What it’s really like working in beauty
When I tell someone I work in the beauty industry, it elicits a myriad of responses — apathy, confusion, and intrigue.
A lot of people aren’t aware that being a beauty writer is even a job, and those that are have a tendency to draw their own conclusions about the validity of my occupation.
Some seem baffled as to why I’d devote my career to “meaningless fluff”, while others are taken over by the glamour of PR events and unboxings they scroll through on social media. I’ve had my intelligence questioned and I’m routinely asked if I’ve had my lips done (no, I’m too scared, and also — who cares?).
But misunderstood as beauty might be by the outside world, the people who work in the industry have created a community that promotes transparency and hard work. It’s a profession fraught with a never-ending series of reality checks.
In the effort of encouraging an open and honest dialogue with my peers, mentors and a handful of homegrown heroes, I reached out to aficionados in hair, fellow content creators, cosmetic doctors and business owners, and asked them to speak to the realities of working in the industry.
This is what they had to say.
Michael Kelly
Hairstylist and Founder of Salon HER
On what’s changed over 20 years…
“Once upon a time in my industry the applause was [only] offered to the elite. But this digital age we live in has given so much visibility to the little guys, the independents, the underdogs who deserve to be seen but maybe didn't always have the chance in the beginning.”
On the grimy side of social media…
[Recently] I had to jump on a call from my hotel room in London with [a young] TikToker who ‘inadvertently’ defamed my business in an attempt to grow her own audience by uploading a factually incorrect “review style” TikTok. These are not glamorous people.
On (briefly) quitting the industry…
“I actually left the industry when I first started. I worked for a big wig hairdresser of the ‘90s who used to throw towels at me and the other assistants when he was having a bad day. But my sabbatical was short lived. I was back in the industry in under a month and haven't stopped loving it since then.”
On the importance of hairdresser price transparency…
“I am a firm believer that clients should know what they are paying without hidden costs. Our pricing is visible on our website, we quote all new clients before we start and if we change anything along the way for existing clients then we always offer a quote again.”
On advice for those looking to enter the beauty industry…
“Beauty is a fast moving industry these days with innovation changing so quickly, my advice is dive in, head first and enjoy every moment that comes your way. They're not always going to be easy and you might feel at times that the growth is going to hurt, but I'm a big believer that without pressure there's no diamond, so really lean into the moments and absorb as much as you can, pass on knowledge and always have a career progression plan!”
Isobel Larkin
Journalist and Content Creator
On the realities of being a content creator…
“If you only knew me via my socials, you’d probably think I spend my life frolicking around at events and unboxing new lotions and potions. And, honestly, that is a lot of what I do but what you don’t see are the panicked early mornings and late nights racing to meet deadlines and my neurotic checking of the BOM app to check which days I’ll be able to shoot content.”
On whether it’s really like ‘The Devil Wears Prada’...
“When I first came to Sydney, I was pretty intimidated by the fashion and beauty world and used to feel incredibly nervous going to events. Fast forward to today and I’ve now met many of my closest friends in the industry and have also come to learn that all those glamorous influencers you see on socials are also just human with their own challenges and insecurities. For the most part, everyone playing in this space is lovely. And if they’re not, they seem to often have a time limit in the industry anyway.”
On where the industry is lacking…
“I would love to see more brands being proactively transparent about how many POC and women they employ. We saw a lot of brands post black squares and give lip service to the BLM movement in 2020 but many of those brands are yet to follow through with actual action. Similarly, I was disappointed this year to see many brands ‘supporting’ International Women’s Day via ‘Gift With Purchase’ offers. I don’t want to speak for every other woman here but I don’t think women need free lipstick. Women need equal pay and employment opportunities and to stop being made to feel unsafe, harassed and murdered.”
On salary transparency…
“When I first started writing on a freelance basis and doing content, I was hugely undercharging. I was so lucky to have friends in the industry that set me straight on what I could and should charge for my work. Being silent about what you’re being paid benefits no one — except the company you’re working with.”
On a time when she considered leaving the industry…
“In my first paid job, I experienced some pretty severe and sustained bullying that saw me ground down to a shell of my original self. After that, I had to put a lot of time and work into therapy with a psychiatrist and psychologist to rebuild myself. I was very fortunate that a few people in that workplace cottoned on to what was happening and supported me to exit the situation. Eventually, I was transferred to a different team and found myself amongst supportive colleagues with world views that aligned much more with mine. If it hadn’t been for those who supported me during that time, maybe I would have exited the industry.”
On advice for those looking to enter into the beauty industry…
“Be flexible. You might not start with the job you envisioned yourself in or you might come to it via a different path than what you expected. Be patient and keep an ear out for future opportunities. Also, be true to yourself and your values.”
Dr Yalda Jamali
Cosmetic Doctor
On the realities of her job qualifications…
“Because most cosmetic doctors need a social media platform to show their work and portfolio, they often get mixed with ‘influencing’. This often takes away from the fact that it is a medical speciality with its own set of challenges and responsibilities.”
On the pressures of the field…
“The one thing that needs more focus and transparency is body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) in cosmetic practitioners. You would be surprised how many suffer from this. As cosmetic doctors are often focused on aesthetics and appearance, they may be at increased risk for developing BDD. In addition, the pressure to maintain a certain standard of appearance in a profession that is often associated with youth and beauty can also contribute to the development of BDD.”
On her fears about the industry…
“There have been days when I worry about the negative impacts of the cosmetic medicine industry on mental health, and I don't want to contribute to that. We, unfortunately, see a lot of patients with BDD, and I know that when I refuse treatment, and they leave my clinic without further treatment, they will try another clinic the day after. That's a scary thought, as they will eventually find a willing practitioner to treat them.”
On advice to those looking to enter the beauty industry…
“Don't put pressure on yourself to look a certain way if you work within the beauty industry. It can take a toll on your mental health.”
Diane Gorgievski
Editorial Hairstylist and Founder of Koda Cutters salon
On the work behind ‘the shot’...
I think because we use Instagram and Tik Tok to showcase ‘behind the scenes’ components of our work in quick highlight reels that can make editorial hair look easy and effortless. [But] the creation and execution of looks along with the creative collaboration is the hard part. Also, once you see how much work can go into looking incredible and getting that shot... Beauty and hair regimens need to be exposed [to show the reality of what it] costs to look “done”. Hair, nails and skin costs more than you think.
On starting out with long hours and low pay…
“I definitely envisioned a different world at a young age. I always thought everyone would be nice, but just like every industry there are many personalities. Everyone is working really hard and that can create high stress environments. I definitely wanted to leave throughout my younger years when I was working 80+ plus hours a week, while working for free a lot of the time to assist and learn.”
On how the industry has changed…
Luckily, in 2023 (and everyone in beauty nowadays), we encompass wellness and look after our team's wellbeing much more than ever now (not to mention our own). The industry has gotten much better in the last decade — equality amongst people and [a low tolerance for] bullying has helped it be just about the beauty and magic we are creating.”
Samantha Appel
Microneedling expert and Founder of The Skin Bar
On the realities of being a beauty business owner…
“Social media doesn’t always show the backend of the work. The struggle is real and there are days where I am completely frazzled. There are times when I am up at 5am working on admin, then 7am switch into mum mode before school drop off, then racing down to one of the clinics just in the nick of time, then racing off to school pick up. Running a skin clinic may look glamorous on socials, [but] behind the scenes, running a business can be stressful.”
On her journey from junior to now…
“When I was a junior technician, I was working 12 hour days, back to back clients and I was truly amazed with the demand for all different sorts of treatments. When I started in the industry I was 24. I was young, had low self- confidence and when I started working I was introduced to injectables. I can honestly look back now and say I felt social pressure to have injectables as ‘a prevention’ even though I had no deep lines or wrinkles. I found myself having an injection every three months and over time, my looks were changing and I felt less ‘me’. I do think now being in the industry I have a different view as to what we as a society are seeing as ‘beauty’. I would like to see more of a focus on self- love and skin health as opposed to a ‘quick fix’ approach.
On the legacy she hopes to leave…
“Being a mother of a 5-year-old little girl, I want to make a positive impact in the industry and try to educate as much as I can about skin health and the importance of loving your skin and knowing that there are options out there that aren’t invasive, and there are honest people in this industry. I think education behind every treatment is a must. Thorough skin consults and treatment education should always be the priority.”
On advice for those looking to enter the beauty industry…
“Get as much experience as you can working in a clinic. What you learn in your diploma or degree is great, although clinic experience is so valuable. Also know that everyone who Is running a clinic now most probably started in your same position, as a junior. It’s not all glamorous whatsoever, and there will be good and bad days. Also find what part of the industry you are passionate about and try to find the best clinic that aligns with your goals.”
Main image credit: Getty
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Briar Clark got her start in the media industry in 2017, as an intern for Marie Claire and InStyle. Since then, her keen interest in fashion and beauty has landed her gigs as a Digital Content Producer and Beauty Editor with titles like Girlfriend, Refinery29, BEAUTYcrew and beautyheaven. She loves the way seemingly innocuous topics like skin care and style have the ability to put a smile on people’s faces or make them think about themselves a little differently. A big believer in self love and experimentation, Briar has made a point of becoming the Australian beauty industry’s unofficial guinea pig for unusual treatments and daring hair trends. When she’s not testing out the latest beauty launches, Briar is big on broadening her horizons, mostly in the form of food but she’s also partial to travelling to new destinations both near and far (and of course, allocating an extra bag to bring their best beauty offerings home with her).
